He is My Redeemer. {Chris Wilson}

Chaos entered my life unexpectedly through a 20-year friendship that went awry. Hurts of this magnitude cut deeply and bring great pain. It was tough for the closest people in my life to see me struggle. It put a strain on my family because I was so distant, depressed, and anxious. In the long run, it did draw me closer to my wife.

How is it that God can feel both near and distant at the same time? When the relationship broke and the deception cut deep, God felt a million miles away. Through His Word and prayer, however, God brought comfort to my heart. I read in Daniel about the fiery furnace. The fourth image in the flame screamed the peace that I needed. I realized He was right there with me in the furnace.

Through this time of chaos, I learned the importance of forgiveness and saying you’re sorry. I learned about biblical reconciliation. I learned how to accept my responsibility, but I also learned not to take on others' struggles or try to fix them. I learned what it means to draw healthy boundaries. I learned the importance of solitude and of saying “No”.

Chaos never feels good in the moment, but God used this painful experience to mold me into the man I am today. 

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He is My Redeemer. {Chris Wilson}

In our journey of faith, one of the most profound and comforting truths we encounter is that "He is my Redeemer." The Bible is filled with passages that beautifully illustrate God's redemptive love for His people, demonstrating His desire for reconciliation and offering forgiveness.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet foretells the coming of the Redeemer, saying, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5 NIV). This verse foreshadows the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross, as He took upon Himself the weight of our sins, paying the price for our reconciliation with God.

As believers, we have been forgiven through the blood of Christ. The Apostle Paul affirms this truth, saying, "In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace" (Ephesians 1:7 NIV). Our redemption was not earned, but rather freely given by God's grace, emphasizing His unconditional love for us.

In light of the forgiveness we have received, we are called to offer forgiveness to others. Jesus teaches us in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12 NIV). Just as God has forgiven us, we are to extend the same mercy and compassion to those who have wronged us.

Forgiveness is a powerful act that brings healing and restoration. In the book of Colossians, Paul urges, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13 NIV). Our ability to forgive stems from recognizing the magnitude of God's forgiveness towards us. It is through this act of pardon that we find peace and release from the burden of holding grudges.

The act of reconciliation and forgiveness is not always easy, but it reflects Christ's sacrificial love for us. In the book of Romans, Paul reminds us, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV). Christ's willingness to lay down His life for us, even when we were undeserving, sets the standard for how we should approach reconciliation and forgiveness with others.

As we meditate on the truth that "He is my Redeemer," let us be inspired to embrace reconciliation and forgiveness in our relationships. By doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and participate in the divine act of transforming lives through His redeeming love. May we walk in the freedom of forgiveness and extend grace to others, knowing that God's redemptive plan is at work in us and through us.